[F17-SP] Thinking Out Loud (Challenge of Olympus-Gathering)

[Eruda 0]

After a long, fruitful night, a conversation between Raidou and her. It felt like a dream as she woke up in her own bedroll. The familiar shop she spent so much time within. It would be the last night she would spend here. Most of the packing was done, the thought of living under the same roof that Raidou did was terrifying though. He really was something else. A smile as she thinks about all the answers she got from Raidou. She was getting to know him, the true him. She knew that Raidou slept in the Guild Hall though, and was wondering if that would change that now that the house wouldn't be as empty. All this thinking rings through her head as she picks up a few more items and stuffs them into a box. Eruda didn't have many things, she liked it that way. Her chest felt heavy as she knew what was coming after she finished packing.

Eruda | HP: 760/760 | EN: 88/88 | DMG: 6 | MIT: 147 | BH: 38 | BRN: 56 | REC: 4 | TAUNT | THRNS: 72

Spoiler

Eruda, The Rising Phoenix
Level: 31
Paragon Level: 20
HP: 760/760
EN: 88/88

Stats:
Damage: 6
Mitigation: 147
Battle Healing: 38
BRN: 56
REC: 4
TAUNT
THRNS: 72

Equipped Gear:
Weapon: Consuming Pyre - Surt T4: (Burn 2, Taunt)
Armor: Reinforced Plate - Lily T4: Damage Mitigation 3 (+72 Mitigation)
Misc: Stalwart Defender T4: (Thorns 2, Recovery 1)

Skills:
1HCS R5
Heavy Armor R5
Battle Healing R5
Fighting Spirit
Howl

Active Mods:
Iron Skin
Rampart

Active Extra Skills:
Block R5
Concentration

Battle Ready Inventory:
Teleport Crystal:
Ebon Tether - Beauty (+3 Loot Dice):

[Eruda 0]

A chime of her HUD as a message popped up. Something similar to what she got when leveling her Tailoring Skill. Smiling as she accepts the challenge and folds the box up. There were only two containers that she wanted to bring and in time she was sure that there was going to be stuff that was bought. Raserei starts sniffing one of the boxes and looks to Eruda with a whine. Giving a small chuckle she says "We have a new place to live. I think you'll like it there." Raserei hops and twirls in the air with excitement. "There's that spirit. We have one thing to do before we head that way though. You want to come with me?" The wolf heads for the door as Eruda grabs her equipment. Grabbing the door handle and glancing back to the interior of her shop. She was finally moving forward... Eruda opens the door, closes it after Raserei heads out. They begin to head toward the warp gate to floor 17 now.

Edited June 29, 2021 by Eruda

[Eruda 0]

Making the same journey she has once before, as she steps onto the warp gate with her wolf, "Floor 17," as she suddenly appears on the requested floor. The reflective tiles looked the same but somehow different. Maybe it was shifted slightly from the update on the game. Raserei runs forward as Eruda walks, raising her head and closing her eyes. The heat was nice, ever since she had gotten her new sword, the warmth had been most enjoyable. Opening her eyes and moving forward, she opens her HUD to make sure the temple-like building where she ended up before was where she was going now. Toggling on the quest and glancing at the Nav market, it sure looked like it. As she walked in that direction she wondered if the Minotaur would meet her again to guide her up. It was a bumpy road last time, but she knew more than ever now, she was ready...

[Eruda 0]

The day was early, the sun was still rising, so the heat she felt now was only going to get hotter. She knew how long it would take to get to the mountain entrance so she started to jog with Raserei who seemed to be much faster. She was running circles around her and in a way, it was cute. The wolf was having a great time just running around. 

This goes on for some time as the Nav Marker gets closer on her map. Eventually, they end up at the beginning climb of the mountainside. "Ready," she looks down at Raserei as she sees that the wolf is staring up the curvy trail as well. She looks up at Eruda with a small coo. They both start heading up the unpredictable path. She knew from last time that if mis-stepped there was a change of a rock slide or worse.
 

[Eruda 0]

Eruda would walk with caution now. As the sun finally rose, the heat began to rise as well. It was a nice feeling. The flames that always surrounded her during battle, she had gotten used to it. The pure energy that she felt from it was overwhelming, but made her feel stronger in the end. Eruda could hear pebbles fall against the rock walls that eventually hit the ground mere meters away from them both. Ignoring this, for now, Raserei jumps off the wall and hits an unstable stone. As she jumps off this the stone crashes against the ground and causes the walls to shift. Seeing this Eruda acts quickly, grabbing her wolf and pulling her shield out and up, crouching down. Fragments of stones clash against the metal, as she is slightly pushed back from each impact. After a moment it stops. Raserei just looks up at Eruda with her ears back and head down.

[Eruda 0]

Suddenly, as she looks into Raserei's eyes, her mind flashes back to a dream she had. A deep fog, dark, the stars could be seen but just barely. Standing back to back with Raidou, screaming, death known as the popping of a diseased one. Rocks clashing to the ground like someone... No, something causes the slide to happen. Vulture's cawing in the area above them... With nothing left for them to gnaw on, they were just there. Her wolf growling deep in front of her as she could sense something that Eruda could not... "Rai, there is too many of them." Rai looks over his shoulder to meet her eyes, "Do you trust me," Eruda simple nods. "Stay close, kill the strays... We will get our family back..." Raidou says as they both run in toe toward the familiar screams. 

"Girl... hey girl... ERUDA," something was calling her name as she snaps out of it shaking her head.

[Eruda 0]

Her vision comes back as she was still staring into Raserei's eyes, hearing her name being called. Raising her head slightly and pulling her shield down. Placing it back where it was placed, standing upright... "How long were you standing there?" Clearing her throat, glancing up at the Minotaur. "I heard the slide and was expecting you. Wanted to make sure you were okay." Eruda nods and gives a worried glare to her wolf. "You have to be more careful, you could die and I am not sure I could handle that," scratching the back of Raserei's ear, she whines softly... She was part of this little family that has formed. Raserei even though she was just a game pion, and would never exist in the real world, she still felt a deep connection with her. "Let us get up this mountain. This day is ending sooner than I would like it to..." All three bodies walk slowly up this pathway watching their step at every turn now. 

[Eruda 0]

Finally, after an hour or so they get to the top, as the same large majestic building makes itself known. Appearing seemingly out of nowhere like before. Still, as beautiful as ever, as she walks up the steps to the tall doors. This time, though, she opens those large metal doors by herself. Pushing with all her might, as they seem to open pretty simple. This shows true strength, given that she would not have been able to do this last time. Eruda has come such a long way from where she was and it really did show. The shy, hesitant little girl was no longer, straight forward and rational decision making. A leader that was still learning every day, her voice was found. The shyness still showed while alone with Rai but all for good reason. Walking through this doorway with confidence shown with every step, "Ah you made it, Welcome. I am Demeter and you are not at all what I was expecting." At this point the goddess look toward who she assumed was the tailor she worked with oh so long ago.